By Abbas Nazil
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has sounded a stern warning that all genetically modified organisms in the country must be properly screened and issued clean bill of health by it before they are commercialized within the country.
Stressing that no genetically modified organism enters or is used in Nigeria without passing through its strict science-based approval process, the agency warns that any importer or producer of GMOs who violates the law by evading the screening will face sanctions.
The agency stressed that it will not hesitate to enforce the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 as amended in 2019 to protect Nigerians, the environment, and biodiversity from any risks associated with unauthorized use of genetically modified organisms.
NBMA was established by law as the competent national authority mandated to regulate the safe use of modern biotechnology and its products.
Before any GMO is permitted for importation, production, or commercialization in Nigeria, the agency requires applicants to submit detailed scientific data, risk assessments, and safety studies.
Applications are subjected to rigorous screening to ensure no risks are overlooked.
As part of its transparency obligations, NBMA publishes applications in at least two national newspapers and deposits copies at strategic locations across the country to allow Nigerians and stakeholders 21 days to review and raise concerns.
Independent experts from universities, research institutes, professional bodies, and relevant agencies are then engaged in the review process through the National Biosafety Committee and its Technical Sub-Committee.
These experts evaluate molecular biology, toxicology, allergenicity, nutritional impact, environmental implications, and other critical safety factors before any decision is made.
Where confined field trials are approved, NBMA follows a rigorous process that can take several years. Data generated during trial periods must again be reviewed by the committees before an application for commercialization can even be considered.
The agency stressed that only GMOs proven to be as safe as their conventional counterparts are approved. Any that pose risks are rejected outright.
Permits granted are issued under strict conditions covering all stages of the process, from importation to cultivation and commercialization.
Even after approval, monitoring continues. NBMA officers conduct regular post-release inspections and quarterly surveillance to ensure compliance. Any breach attracts tough sanctions including seizure, destruction, or repatriation of unauthorized GMOs.
The agency emphasized that its decisions are guided strictly by science and aligned with international best practices set by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
It also assured Nigerians of its transparency in handling applications, stressing that public scrutiny and input are always allowed before approvals are given. Mandatory labeling laws further protect consumer rights and guarantee freedom of choice.
Nigeria’s biosafety regulatory system has been recognized across Africa as a model framework, with several countries drawing from its processes to strengthen their own biosafety systems.
NBMA reiterated its assurance that no GMO is allowed into Nigeria without passing through the world’s most stringent safety checks.
The agency said its mission is to protect Nigerians without stifling innovation, a duty it will continue to uphold with transparency, firmness, and scientific integrity.
The public and stakeholders are called upon to trust the country’s biosafety system, which was deliberately built by the National Assembly, supported by the government, and managed by experts committed to ensuring that bio-innovation never compromises safety.